BizNews Radio
Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and business people from South Africa and across the globe.
Magnus Heystek: Why SA’s middle class is quietly being crushed
South Africans are being told everything is fine. Magnus Heystek says it’s a dangerous illusion. In a wide-ranging conversation with Alec Hogg, the veteran investment strategist warns that falling GDP per capita, rising taxes, weak property returns and flawed retirement structures are steadily hollowing out the middle class. From Regulation…
From Ermelo to the world Stage: Tennis super coach John‑Laffnie de Jager keeps raising the game
Former ATP doubles star John‑Laffnie de Jager, who turned a birth injury that damaged a nerve in his leg into what he calls his “greatest gift,” recently guided Team World to victory in the inaugural World Tennis Continental Cup in Shenzhen, China. In an interview with BizNews, the South African…
The Editor's Desk - Fri 9 Jan 2026: Musk’s Starlink battle, the Michael Burry interview, and a $260bn Mining merger
In today’s Editor's Desk, Alec Hogg explores the controversy surrounding Elon Musk’s Starlink being "banned" in South Africa and the rare insights of "The Big Short" legend Michael Burry. We also dive into a scathing Economist critique of Donald Trump’s recent moves in Venezuela and the massive potential merger between…
BizNews Daybreak Fri 9 Jan: Rio-Glencore Mega-Merger; Burry's market warning; Shapiro on Fixing SA
In this edition of BizNews Daybreak for Friday, 9 January 2026, Alec Hogg breaks down the market-moving stories you need to win the day. A massive deal is back on the table as Rio Tinto and Glencore revisit a potential mega-merger. We also feature insights from "The Big Short" legend…
South Africa’s business titans are gone – and David Shapiro explains why
From Brian Joffe to Raymond Ackerman, South Africa once produced business giants who shaped the economy. David Shapiro argues they have been replaced by spreadsheet managers, over-regulation and compliance paralysis, and explains what that loss means for growth, risk-taking and the country’s future.
Francois Rodgers - The battle for KZN amid “sinister power grab”…
Tomorrow, The National Freedom Party (NFP) plans to formally announce its withdrawal from the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government of Unity. In his reaction, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) leader in the province, Francois Rodgers, tells Chris Steyn: “…if the NFP are all about service delivery…and building a province, why would they take…
Members only: Starring the market's two top Michaels - Lewis and Burry
In this exclusive members-only episode, legendary author Michael Lewis sits down for a rare, long-form interview with the man who inspired The Big Short: hedge fund manager Michael Burry. Known for his deep aversion to the media, Burry breaks his silence to mark the 15th anniversary of the financial crisis…
The Editor's Desk - Thurs 8 Jan 2026: David Shapiro’s wise counsel, and the truth about the Ozempic "quick fix"
In today's Editor's Desk, Alec Hogg discusses the "higher purpose" Andy Mothibi brings to the NPA and reunites with market legend David Shapiro to track down South Africa’s missing business titans. From the broadcasting "dungeons" of the 90s to a modern reality check on the Ozempic weight-loss craze, we explore…
BN Daybreak Thurs 8 Jan: Trump’s Tanker Seizures, Novus “Lying” Scandal & Orion’s 36% Surge
In today’s episode of BizNews Daybreak, Alec Hogg covers a dramatic morning for global and local markets. The Trump administration ramps up pressure on Venezuela with oil tanker seizures, while we hear of escalating repression of the population by Maduro's underlings. Locally, the JSE sees action as HCI sells its…
Miningweb weekly: The case against the gold price (and why Orion surge is justified)
In the year’s first episode of our weekly engagement, Peter Major explains how, unlike oil or copper, which are driven by physical industrial use, the current gold price is being driven almost entirely by investors hoarding it. He refers to long-term gold price graphs to explain why those buying gold…
The Editor's Desk - Wed 7 Jan 2026: A "damning" case for Novus, Dr. Doom’s warning, and the Russia-SA gaming trap
From a potential 55 million Rand scandal involving Novus and Mustek to the appointment of Andy Mothibi at the NPA, we dive into the latest developments impacting your money and the ethics of corporate SA.
Toby Chance - More horror for Lottery corruption whistleblowers
In his latest interview with Chris Steyn, Toby Chance, the Democratic Alliance's (DA’s) Spokesperson on Trade, Industry and Competition, details yet another harsh blow to former National Lotteries Commission (NLC) staff who had exposed large-scale corruption and illegal grants of up to R2bn. He describes how they were initially promised…
BizNews Daybreak Wed 7 Jan - Trump’s Oil Plan, China’s Silence, and a Trade Surplus Surprise
Join Alec Hogg for BizNews Daybreak, your early morning briefing on investment markets and the world’s biggest stories. We unpack President Trump’s controversial proposal to manage Venezuelan crude to fund reconstruction, and hear analysis from The Economist around China's surprising silence on Maduro's removal - something which will doubtless be…
(Ret.) Col Chris Wyatt - Ramaphosa continues to taunt Trump - despite Maduro raid
In his latest interview with Chris Steyn, US Intelligence Analyst retired Colonel Chris Wyatt gives the assurance that the US is not likely to invade South Africa. However, he has some words of warning for President Cyril Ramaphosa - who doubled down today on his condemnation of the US invasion…
The Editor's Desk - Tue 6 Jan 2026: Is South Africa on the "wrong side of history"? Davos, Iran, and ancient secrets
From the powder keg in Iran to Donald Trump’s grand return to Davos, Alec Hogg breaks down why South Africa’s recent military and political alliances could leave us increasingly isolated on the global stage. Plus, a fascinating look at a 9,500-year-old archaeological discovery in Malawi that rewrites the history of…
BizNews Daybreak Tues 6 Jan 2026: Latest on Venezuela Crisis; panicking autocrats; oil stocks, Rand stronger
In today’s episode: The Venezuela Crisis: The latest from Bloomberg, historian Niall Ferguson argues Trump’s intervention was telegraphed months ago, while the FT provides critical context on the situation. Global Markets: Bitcoin hits $93,800, Gold holds near $4,500, and US oil stocks react strongly. Local Movers: The Rand strengthens to…
The Editor's Desk - Mon 5 Jan 2026: Trump’s Venezuela gamble and 10 trends for 2026
We kick off the new year analyzing the US military’s shock move in Caracas, Ruchir Sharma’s warning on the AI bubble, and what these global shifts mean for your portfolio.
Jonathan Deal - Safe Citizen sends Cyril a new crime-fighting plan…
The civic organisation Safe Citizen is today submitting a paper to the South African government around the serious issue of violent crime in South Africa. It is being delivered to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, and Ian Cameron, the Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police. It…
BizNews Daybreak, Mon 5 Jan 2026 - Trump shares next move; Details on Maduro capture; Orion jumps; Mag7 in 2026
Seize the day with the freshest news you can use to help you conquer another active business day - from the team at BizNews and our global partners. This episode features insights into the game-changing weekend capture of Nicolas Maduro by US forces with details of the operation and US…
Boardroom Talk: When the strong do what they can — What the fall of Maduro means for South Africa
Donald Trump’s dramatic intervention in Venezuela has done more than remove a dictator; it has shattered the "multipolar" illusion that Pretoria has relied on for decades. While the world recalibrates to this ruthless display of American power, South Africa’s government has responded with predictable outrage, defending a failed regime rather…